High-altitude excavations in the Tyrolean Alps have revealed evidence of ritual bonfire sites containing charred bundles of rowan and hawthorn wood. Archaeologists believe these remains are the result of ancient Celtic celebrations of Beltane, a festival marking the beginning of summer. The rowan tree was historically believed to provide protection for cattle as they were driven to high pastures for the season.
The stratigraphic analysis suggests that these fires were lit repeatedly over several centuries during the La Tène period. The discovery of small iron votive figurines of bulls near the ash pits supports the theory that these festivals were focused on livestock fertility and pastoral protection. This provides the first physical evidence of high-altitude ritual activity specifically timed to the seasonal movement of herds in the Eastern Alps.